KOALA

Koalas are most commonly found in the eucalyptus forests that stretch along Australia’s eastern coast, from Queensland’s sun-drenched shores to South Australia’s chilly mountain woodlands. Koalas rely on these lush forests for both food and shelter and feed almost exclusively on eucalyptus leaves. They can eat up to 500 grams of leaves per day, using their keen sense of smell to pick out the freshest leaves. But no matter how juicy the leaf, this limiting diet is so low in nutrients that koalas need to spend an incredible amount of time resting. In fact, they can spend up to 20 hours a day doing their most important activity for survival - sleeping. Koalas typically start breeding at two to four years of age. The males use scent glands on their chests to mark their territories and attract female koalas. A koala joey will stay in its mother’s pouch for up to six months, at which point it hitches a ride on her back and begins exploring by itself. At 12 months of age, the joey will reach independence and venture off on its own until it finds its own patch of forest to call home. Sadly, being iconic and symbolic is not enough to save koalas from the threat of extinction. Historically, they were heavily hunted for their fur, leading to significant population declines in the 1900s. While they’re no longer hunted, koalas now face an ever-growing number of threats - from deforestation for agricultural and urban developments to the spread of the deadly koala Chlamydia disease, traffic strikes and dog attacks. In 2022, koalas were listed as Endangered in Qld, NSW and the ACT. The future of this iconic animal depends on us taking urgent action to safeguard them and their forest homes.

The koala is an iconic symbol of Australia. Koalas hold deep cultural significance to Aboriginal Australians, featuring prominently in Dreamtime stories, songs and rock art. Their Creation story tells how the koala is the reason animals survived rising seas and made it to mainland Australia. Loved globally for their adorable features and sleepy temperament, koalas also draw visitors to Australian wildlife parks and zoos from all corners of the world. In the wild, koalas serve as ambassadors for the many other animals that inhabit Australian nature. Protecting bushland areas in an effort to save koala populations also preserves the forest homes of other species like possums, greater gliders, wombats, quolls, birds, and reptiles. WWF-Australia is at the forefront of research efforts to protect koalas and restore their habitat. By donating to our cause, you can help safeguard koalas and thousands of other wildlife. Your generosity will serve as a beacon of support for conservation and animal advocacy, ensuring the iconic koala thrives in our forests for generations to come.